Maybe it was planned.

A west-bound train barreling through downtown Hays Tuesday evening, just prior to a  ceremony in Union Pacific Railroad Park awarding the town membership in Union Pacific’s Train Town U-S-A Registry.

It was 150 years ago President Abraham Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act of July 1, 1862, creating the original Union Pacific.

Public Affairs Director Ben Jones talked about Hays’ rich railroad history beginning in 1867, the same year Fort Hays was established and Hays City was founded.

The Train Town U-S-A plaque was given to Hays Vice Mayor Kent Steward to be placed at Hays City Hall.

See more tonight on Eagle Local News, Eagle Community TV Channel 14.